Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy and Cardiopulmonary Status: A Correlative Study

Abstract

IntroductionAdenotonsillar hyperplasia in childhood is a common phenomenon. It has been reported in the literature that increased upper-airway resistance resulting from hypertrophied tonsils and adenoids can cause intermittent airway obstruction, chronic alveolar hypoventilation, and even lead to severe cardiopulmonary complications such as right ventricular (RV) failure and cor-pulmonale, a near-lethal culmination of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). This study was undertaken to explore and examine the association of adenotonsillar hypertrophy and cardiopulmonary status in patients with complaints of upper airway obstruction below the age of 20 years and to analyze the effect of adenotonsillar enlargement on pulmonary function tests and cardiac aberration reflected in the electrocardiography (ECG) changes. MethodsThis study included patients visiting or admitted to the Otolaryngology/Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) and

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric otolaryngology: a nationwide study

“…Even though the current risk of contagion is significantly decreased thanks to vaccination and protective measures, an increased number of procedures in the waiting list accounting for 66.9%, as reported by our data, is worrying and could keep growing without the application of an integrated strategy. In fact, even a common diagnosis of adenotonsillar disease can lead to several comorbidities, such as cardiopulmonary complications, deficit of attention and dental malocclusions 9-11 .…”

“…Even though the current risk of contagion is significantly decreased thanks to vaccination and protective measures, an increased number of procedures in the waiting list accounting for 66.9%, as reported by our data, is worrying and could keep growing without the application of an integrated strategy. In fact, even a common diagnosis of adenotonsillar disease can lead to several comorbidities, such as cardiopulmonary complications, deficit of attention and dental malocclusions [9][10][11] . Medical management of severe obstructive sleep apnoea during the COVID-19 pandemic, including continuous positive airway pressure therapy in severe cases, showed that this kind of treatment is poorly tolerated, and that surgery remains the gold standard 12 .…”

The effect of adenoidectomy on pulmonary function in children: prospective controlled study

“…This increased cardiac demand can lead to heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac output changes. Over time, these alterations may contribute to cardiovascular complications such as hypertension, right ventricular dysfunction, and cardiac arrhythmias [2,[11][12][13][14][15].…”

“…Spirometry is recommended in several clinical scenarios for children with symptoms suggestive of obstructive airway disease, such as recurrent wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath. It aids in assessing airway obstruction and can assist in distinguishing between asthma, chronic bronchitis, or other respiratory disorders [20,2].…”